Date of Birth: October 21, 1914
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Date of Death: May 22, 2010
Biography
Martin Gardner was an American popular mathematics and science writer who was born on October 21, 1914, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is best known for his long-running “Mathematical Games” column in Scientific American, which spanned over 25 years. Gardner was a prolific author, having written more than 100 books on a variety of topics including recreational mathematics, puzzles, magic, philosophy, and skepticism. His works have inspired generations of mathematicians, magicians, and enthusiasts of logical puzzles. Gardner graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in philosophy in 1936. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy. After the war, he pursued a career in journalism and writing. His curiosity and passion for mathematics led him to write articles that simplified complex mathematical concepts for the general public. Gardner was also a prominent skeptic and critic of pseudoscience, contributing significantly to the field of scientific skepticism. He was a founding member of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) and wrote extensively on the subject. His contributions to the world of mathematics and science communication earned him numerous accolades, including the Joint Policy Board for Mathematics Communications Award and the Leroy P. Steele Prize for Mathematical Exposition.
5 Interesting Facts about Martin Gardner
1. Martin Gardner wrote the “Mathematical Games” column for Scientific American from 1956 to 1981.
2. He was a skilled magician and wrote extensively on magic tricks and illusions.
3. Gardner was an advocate for scientific skepticism and was a founding member of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.
4. He authored more than 100 books on a variety of topics, including mathematics, philosophy, magic, and pseudoscience.
5. Gardner’s interest in Lewis Carroll’s works led to him becoming a leading authority on the subject, and he authored “The Annotated Alice.”
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Martin Gardner
1. “The universe is an enormous direct product of representations of symmetry groups.”
2. “Mathematics is not only real, but it is the only reality.”
3. “You can’t die happy if you haven’t read the world’s greatest literature.”
4. “The best way to get a good idea is to get a lot of ideas.”
5. “A surprising proportion of mathematical research is done by amateurs.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Martin Gardner’s net worth was never publicly disclosed, but his influence and contributions to mathematics and science were invaluable.
Children
Martin Gardner had two sons: James Gardner and Thomas Gardner. James Gardner became an artist and Thomas Gardner pursued a career in education.
Relevant Links
1. [Martin Gardner – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Gardner
4. [Committee for Skeptical Inquiry](https://skepticalinquirer.org/author/martin-gardner/
5. [Martin Gardner Centennial](https://www.g4g-com.org/martin-gardner-centennial/
